Excommunication in Thirteenth-Century England: Communities, Politics, and Publicity

Excommunication was the medieval church's most severe sanction, used against people at all levels of society. Felicity Hill's book "Excommunication in Thirteenth-Century England" offers a fresh perspective on medieval excommunication by taking a multi-dimensional approach to the discussion of the sanction. It argues that our understanding of excommunication should be shaped by how it was received within the community and the intentions of canon law and clerics. The book reveals much about medieval cursing, pastoral care, fears about the afterlife, social ostracism, shame and reputation, and mass communication.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The medieval church employed excommunication as its harshest punishment, applied to individuals across all social strata. It encompassed a profound spiritual, social, and legal dimension. In her insightful study, Felicity Hill delves into the complexities of excommunication in Thirteenth-Century England, employing a multi-faceted approach to explore its implications. By examining England as a case study, Hill sheds light on the motivations behind excommunication, its perception and reception at both national and local levels, and the profound effects it had on individuals and society. The study is organized thematically, aiming to shape our understanding of excommunication by considering its reception within the community as well as the intentions of canon law and clerics. Challenging prevailing notions of the ineffectiveness of excommunication, Hill argues that the sanction retained its utility for the clerical elite, facilitating meaningful dialogue and engaging a diverse range of source materials. Through its examination of excommunication, the book unveils the intricate web of political communication and action, revealing the public, conflicting, accepted, and rejected instances of excommunication. It sheds light on the manipulation of excommunication for political purposes, serving as a vital channel for conveying political events throughout medieval society. Furthermore, the book offers valuable insights into various aspects of medieval life, including cursing, pastoral care, fears about the afterlife, social ostracism, shame, reputation, and mass communication. By delving into the complexities of excommunication, this work provides a rich and comprehensive exploration of medieval society, offering a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in history.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198840367